“It’s hard to think of a nicer way to start off the New Year than with the Netherlands Wind Ensemble’s New Year’s Concert in the Concertgebouw. Every year it’s a cheerful group, although the melancholy and depth are never far away, and each time when it comes to an end, there’s the same lament: if only all people on earth were musicians, there would never be another war.” Het Parool (****)

The Netherlands Wind Ensemble’s New Year’s concerts have become as inseparable from New Year’s Day as ski jumping and the Viennese Waltz. It’s a surprising musical party with unexpected guests from all over the world, extraordinary stories and new compositions from young composers.

For the past decades the NBE has played to a completely sold-out concert hall in The Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam on New Year’s Day. Unfortunately, due to corona virus, the NBE won’t be able to welcome any of their loyal fans this year. The NBE has turned this huge disappointment into a unique opportunity: all the chairs have been removed from their normal places in the hall and for the first time in the history of The Royal Concertgebouw, the musicians will not just be playing on the main stage, but at different surprising locations within this imposing national monument. Prepare for a totally different concert than what you are used to, with guest appearances by virtuous stringed instrument players, passionate singers from near and far and internationally praised variety acts. With these exciting guests from different theatre disciplines and cultures, the NBE musicians would like to offer you an incredible experience for the eyes and ears with this New Year’s Concert full of hope, trust and inspiration.

The New Year’s Concert will be broadcasted in China on the 3rd of January 2021. 

when to see it

• Fri 01 Jan 2021 19:00 Amsterdam Het Concertgebouw
  Watch the New Year's Concert at 19:00h on NPO 2